Yorkshire Water has started a £1 million project to replace 2.8km of water mains in the villages of Sessay and Hutton Sessay, close to Thirsk in North Yorkshire.

Contract partner United Infrastructure will be replacing the mains at the junction of Islebeck Lane and the south side of Sandy Lane, on Low Lane, and in private fields. The project is expected to finish in autumn 2026.

Replacing the mains will improve reliability of drinking water supply, reduce leakage, and prevent water main bursts in the area. The utility is prioritising aging pipework in areas prone to bursts and supply interruptions and replacing them with durable and flexible plastic piping.

Nichola Fairbairn, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said:

“This project will enable us to better deliver quality and reliable service to our customers, and we’ll do our very best to keep disruption to a minimum whilst we complete the work. It’s one of many mains replacement schemes we’re currently delivering across North Yorkshire, with others underway in Yedingham, North Cowton and East Cowton.”

In North Yorkshire, so far, schemes have been completed in Grassington, Bedale, Settle, Sutton, Hauxwell to Hunton, and Thirn to Thornton.

The water company is investing £406 million in upgrading its clean water mains network by 2030, replacing 1,000km of pipework. It is now over a quarter of the way through the programme, having replaced over 275km of main.